CVE-1999-0857

FreeBSD - Arbitrary File Modification via Symlink Attack

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-1999-0857. PoCs published by Brock Tellier.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a symbolic link vulnerability in gdc (gated debug client) to overwrite arbitrary files on the system. By creating a symlink in /var/tmp/gated_dump pointing to a critical file (e.g., /etc/master.passwd), an attacker can cause gdc to overwrite the target file when run by a privileged user.

Description

FreeBSD gdc program allows local users to modify files via a symlink attack.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Brock Tellier · textlocalfreebsd
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19650

This exploit leverages a symbolic link vulnerability in gdc (gated debug client) to overwrite arbitrary files on the system. By creating a symlink in /var/tmp/gated_dump pointing to a critical file (e.g., /etc/master.passwd), an attacker can cause gdc to overwrite the target file when run by a privileged user.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: gdc (gated debug client)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Local access · Membership in the 'wheel' group or equivalent · gdc installed and setuid root
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/835

Scores

EPSS 0.0053
EPSS Percentile 40.8%

Details

Status published
Products (1)
freebsd/freebsd 3.3
Published Dec 01, 1999
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026